Gingerbread Man has been on fire during the festive season with 4 of his 7 winners this month arriving since Xmas Day.

The Yarradale Stud stallion started December with Run Pattie Run (Bunbury) and the winners kept ticking over with Perfectday (Hong Kong) and London’s Rascal (Ascot).  He doubled up on Boxing Day courtesy of Gingerquest and Chiminy Blue (Albany) and followed up with Noble Touch (Geraldton) on Saturday and Dark Avalanche (Bunbury) on Sunday.

Dark Avalanche (4g Gingerbread Man - Misshonorable by Viscount) is a homebred for Dave Powrie and was racing first-up for local trainer Brendon Fitz-Gerald in the Cuprum Distillery Maiden (1100m) yesterday.

He tracked Bambino Chino (Maschino) into the straight and fought back strongly when challenged by heavily-backed favourite Talk Too Much (I'm All The Talk) to score by over a length.  “I was a bit nervous today because 1100m is a bit short for him,” Fitz-Gerald said.  “But Joey (Azzopardi) got him into a nice spot and rode him a treat.

“He was on and off the bridle during his first prep and has kept improving since coming back into work.  He can make a city horse and will eventually get out to a mile.  Dave is our breaker and his parents (Fin and Gwenda) are here from overseas so it’s a good day for all the family.”

Azzopardi was aboard for the first time on race-day although he did partner Dark Avalanche in a Lark Hill barrier trial earlier this month.  “He gave me a good feel in that hit-out and he pinged the lids today.  He still has a bit to learn but I liked the way he lengthened and flattened out.”

Powrie bred him out of Misshonorable who is from the same family as Wally Daly’s recent city winners Beatty (Gingerbread Man) and Refemme No Angel (Harry Angel).

Yarradale will consign 4 of the 15 lots by Gingerbread Man (Shamardal) for the Perth Magic Millions Yearling Sale in February.  The first from outside clients is the colt from Simplyirresistible (Royal Academy) being offered by Lynward Park as Lot 75.  The dam was black-type placed at Ascot and has foaled 6 winners from 6 to the races.

Hoofnote:  Yarradale also weighed in with Lyn's Star winning the TABtouch Maiden (1600m) at Albany on Boxing Day.  The daughter of War Chant (USA) was a $55,000 buy for Ryan Hill at the 2023 Perth Magic Millions and her dam Queen Of Gingers (Gingerbread Man) is a close-relation of Anacarde (LR SAJC Hill Smith Stakes) and How About That (LR VRC Lady Mayoress' Plate).

Dark Avalanche and his winning connections at Bunbury on Sunday / Photo: Western Racepix